Santa and Mrs. Claus coming to breakfast

By Vicki Gerdes

November 28, 2012 at 9:06 AM

After journeying through the streets of downtown Detroit Lakes on Monday for his annual Grand Parade of Lights, Santa has decided to stick around a few more days and help raise some much-needed funds for the Lakes Crisis & Resource Center.

The LCRC's 4th annual Breakfast with Santa fundraiser is set for this Sunday, Dec. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to p.m., inside the cafeteria at Minnesota State Community & Technical College, 900 Highway 34 East, Detroit Lakes.

"Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, ready to take photos with the children," said LCRC executive director Jan Logan -- though it's on a "bring your own camera" basis.

But that's not all.

"We're calling it 'Breakfast with Santa and a ho-ho-whole lot more,'" said Kathy Michaelson, one of the organizers of the annual event.

That's because Santa and Mrs. Claus will be joined by "about 10-15 craft vendors with exciting Christmas items for sale," said Logan, "and we'll be serving a delicious breakfast of pancakes and sausage."

"We'll also have a bake sale," added Natalie Bly, organizational project coordinator for LCRC.

"And there will be raffle drawings for Christmas Barbies that are highly collectible," Michaelson added.

There will be live music as well, courtesy of local musician Holly Heisserer, and a "Santa's Toy Shop" containing some relatively inexpensive toy gifts for children to purchase "for siblings, friends, or for themselves," Bly added.

"It's a great family event," said Michaelson. "You can get into the holiday spirit and support the crisis center at the same time."

In addition to the music, food, and shopping opportunities, it's a chance to get your picture taken with the big guy without the hassle of waiting in line at the shopping mall.

"There's no long lines, and it's so personal," said Michaelson. "I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to come."

All proceeds from the breakfast will benefit "the many people in crisis and in need who visit us at the Crisis Center, especially during the holiday season," said Logan.

Admission is just $5 for adults and $3 for children, or $12 for the whole family. For more information, contact the Lakes Crisis & Resource Center at 218-847-8572.

Follow Detroit Lakes Newspapers reporter Vicki Gerdes on Twitter at @VickiLGerdes.

By Vicki Gerdes

A reporter at Detroit Lakes Newspapers since relocating to the community in October 2000, Vicki was promoted to Community News Lead for the Detroit Lakes Tribune and Perham Focus on Jan. 1, 2022. She has covered pretty much every "beat" that a reporter can be assigned, from county board and city council to entertainment, crime and even sports. Born and raised in Madelia, Minnesota, she is a graduate of Hamline University, from which she earned a bachelor's degree in English literature (writing concentration). You can reach her at vgerdes@dlnewspapers.com.